Clayton Kershaw done for 2016? Season-ending surgery 'more of a possibility'

WASHINGTON, D.C. >> A week ago at the All-Star Game, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said he had been told the mild heiation in his lower back was “a non-surgical injury.”

But Kershaw’s renewed lower back pain following a 60-pitch simulated-game session in Los Angeles on Saturday has Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledging that season-ending back surgery for Kershaw is “more of a possibility” now than it was before the throwing session.

“Yes, to answer your question,” Roberts said when asked before Wednesday’s game in Washington. “I think that with the way it flared up, it’s more of an indication that surgery is more of a possibility obviously with the way the back responded. But we’re still hopeful that he will be back.

“When you’re talking about the back, that is always an option. But we’re certainly hopeful that Clayton will be back, obviously.”

Roberts said he has not been told anything by the Dodgers’ medical staff regarding the potential for surgery but he was “inferring” the possibility was greater now.

“I haven’t been told that,” he said. “For me, that’s just logic.”

Roberts said Kershaw has been re-examined by Dr. Robert Watkins but the Dodgers manager has not heard any reports from that exam.

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